How to Choose the Best Storage Container Movers Near You 

Today, about 20 million storage containers crisscross the globe at any given time, and 200 million containers are used yearly. Even more interesting is that there are about 530 million storage containers globally. With such massive volumes, searching for “storage container movers near me” is overwhelming. 

But why even choose storage container movers over traditional movers? The containers offer spaciousness, physical protection, and moving convenience. Other benefits of storage container moving services include cost effectiveness, delivery efficiency, and moving flexibility. 

This blog post takes you through the process of choosing a reliable storage container mover and provides tips on identifying a bad one. Let’s get started. 

How to Evaluate Storage Container Moving Companies 

While storage containers have tremendous benefits, not all moving companies are reliable. Some storage container movers hide in the guise of offering professional container moving services, but they are scams. Others may not be scams but are pretty unprofessional and unreliable. 

So, how do you find the best storage container moving companies? What should be your priority areas when searching? Well, here are essential considerations when choosing storage container movers: 

1. Reputation and Customer Reviews 

You can tell if a storage mover is reputable and reliable by checking customer reviews and testimonials. When reading customer testimonials for moving services online, prioritize issues like container quality, safety features, and customer service. Don’t forget about delivery efficiency and pick-up services.

Some of the most reliable sources to find trustworthy storage container mover reviews are:

• Better Business Bureau: Evaluates companies based on trustworthiness. 
• Yelp: This lets you check out reviews from local shipping container companies. 
• Trustpilot: Allows you to check customer ratings and read their reviews. 
• Google (mainly Google Business Profile): This helps you to check local shipping container services and compare customer ratings. 

Additionally, check general public forums like Reddit and Quora for insightful information about specific storage container moving services. Customers on these platforms share their experiences, which helps you make informed decisions. You can find some good recommendations and identify companies you should avoid due to their unreliability or poor services. 

Overall, choose a container moving company with the best reviews. That is a sure way to find reputable storage container movers. Too much negative customer feedback is a red flag. Moreover, consider the company’s reputation. Moving companies that have been around for a while seem more reliable, especially if the reviews are good. 

2. Experience and Expertise 

You want a storage container mover that is good at its job. The company should have the needed experience in handling valuables and delicate items. Look at how experienced they are in offering container customization and specialty services. 

When it comes to specialized moving services, consider the following:

• Specialty containers: These specialized containers are ideal for pharmaceuticals, food, and other perishables. They have built-in refrigeration units that keep the items in good condition. 
• Tunnel containers: Tunnel containers have doors on both sides for easy loading and offloading. Such containers are perfect when you want frequent access to your belongings. 
• Reefer containers: These storage are fully insulated and temperature-controlled for effectively storing and transporting items that need special climatically controlled conditions. 
• Other considerations: You may also want to consider storage container moving services with GPS tracking and surveillance cameras to help you keep track of your belongings or track them in case someone steals them. 

Overall, experienced storage container movers provide a seamless relocation and, more importantly, good handling of belongings. 

3. Licensing and Insurance 

There are several risks of hiring an unlicensed container mover. First is information flow risk, where there may be any of these consequences:

• Government agencies hold onto the processing of documents and delay the entire process. 
• Delayed information transmission. 
• Lack of adequate information security. 

The other risk is physical flow risk, where any of the following may occur:

• Port congestion in case of cross-border shipments
• Empty or inappropriate container transportation, either by default or lack of professionalism. 
• Container damage due to bad weather, pest/animal attack, or physical mishandling. 
• Risk of loss (theft). 

The third risk is payment risk, where there may be:

• Payment delays. 
• Scamming (where you could lose money from the dealing). 
• Unfulfilled contracts. 

So, to avoid all these risks, you should consider licensed storage container movers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates moving businesses in the U.S., including storage container services. FMCSA requires such companies to file paperwork, including local and interstate relocation licenses and insurance certificates. The licenses prove the legality of the business in operating and offering storage container services. 

Your storage container mover should offer direct insurance coverage or partner with a reputable insurance company. That ensures that your belongings are protected in case of unforeseen events. 

Seek insurance for storage container moving. Such protection protects against physical loss, damage repairs, and third-party liability. You are compensated for damaged or lost belongings while the storage container is in transit, which is not under your care but under the care of the moving service. 

Steps to Finding the Best Storage Container Movers Near You

Are you searching for the best storage movers near me? If so, due diligence is essential to elude scammers and associated risks. In addition to following the above tips for choosing moving companies, here are three actionable steps when narrowing down your options. 

Step 1: Conducting Online Research

Search engines, especially Google, have the power to help you find the best storage container company. You should check if the company appears among the top searches or news articles. If it does, chances are it’s reputable. 

Also, use forums like Self Storage Talk (SST), Garage Journal, and In-depthoutdoors.com. General forums like Reddit and Quora could also help you gain insights into finding reliable moving companies. 

Remember to research storage container movers on review sites, especially those dealing with shipping containers. These options point you to the best storage container services. Some examples are BBB, Yelp, and Trustpilot. 

Step 2: Seeking Recommendations 

You can’t just rely on online reviews and what the shipping container company says online. It makes more sense to get a recommendation from someone you know who is reputable, has used the moving service, or is familiar with its operations.

Look for people who recently used a shipping container and ask about their experience if you are looking for trusted storage container movers. A company will suit you well if it is highly recommended.  

Try to get personal referrals for movers and pursue them as much as possible. Then, you can compare the best options and decide on the company to work with. 

Step 3: Requesting and Comparing Quotes 

It’s essential to know beforehand how much it’ll cost you to use a storage container service. Storage container moving quotes should be detailed, highlighting the rental fees, pick-up, and delivery charges. You should get clarity on charges for any additional services. That includes charges for:

• Pest proofing 
• Climate control
• Security enhancement 

Also, note that some moving companies have hidden charges for cleaning and overtime. Ask if such a cost exists or if there is anything else. You can request quotes from two or three reputable moving companies and compare them to see what works for your budget. 

Depending on its size, here’s how much you should spend on a new shipping container. 

Container Size	Estimated Cost
10 by 8 by 8.6 ft.	$950 – $5,000
20 by 8 by 8.6 ft.	$1,800 – $6,500
20 by 8 by 9.6 ft.	$2,000 – $6,900
40 by 8 by 8.6 ft.	$3,200 – $8,300
40 by 8 by 9.6 ft.	$3,200 – $8,900

Warning Signs of Unreliable Storage Container Movers

Scammers may create fake listings, set up fake online profiles, or create sham websites to cheat unsuspecting clients. However, you can beat such moving company schemes by identifying the following red flags. 

1. Usually Low Estimates

Be wary of low-cost storage movers risks. We are talking of container moving companies that offer prices too good to be true. Always beware of cheap moving services advertised as ‘special deals’ but with hidden fees. A reliable container moving company will inform you about any existing fees. They’ll break down the costs and notify you of any other charges.

Learn to compare the quote you get with others to see if there are any close resemblances. If the price is too low, be cautious of a possible scheme. Ideally, a standard 20-ft container costs around $50 to about $300, depending on the features. If, for example, a moving company suggests a price below $20, it could be a scam. 

2. Poor Communication 

Clear communication and responsiveness are signs of utmost professionalism. Beware of poor customer service moving companies. You can tell that from online customer reviews and testimonials. 

When reviewing the customer reviews, identify storage mover communication issues such as lack of billing transparency, poor response, or sketchy information. It could be a red flag if the customer desk cannot explain things clearly or tries to avoid specific questions about their service. 

Additionally, note the method of communication to which the moving company responds. It’s professional when they use email or give you a call. If they choose to use text messages, this could be a red flag. You can try calling them by voice to see if they can answer and explain everything clearly. If they can’t, you need to look for another storage container mover. 

Don’t forget about the ‘pressure tactic,’ which we’ll touch on later. In this case, the container moving company tries to pressure you to ‘trust them’ with their money, not to ‘lose a good deal’ when, in reality, you could be losing your hard-earned money. Once the communication starts heading toward ‘you should make it quick’ or ‘you don’t have much time,’ it’s a red flag. 

Other Red Flags for Moving Companies 

In addition to the above, here are some other warning signs pointing to untrusted and unreliable storage container movers: 

• Mismatched descriptions: Chances are the company is a scam if the container description doesn’t match the image. Some go as far as getting stock images, which are bold red flags. 
• Will not allow in-person meeting: A company could be hiding something if they don’t allow you to meet in person and check out the containers. So, you have to be cautious. 
• Dubious contact info: You must verify the contact information the container mover provides on its site or social media profile. It is a red flag when the phone number or email is not working. The physical location may also be nonexistent, which also shows questionable services. 
• Unprofessional email: Genuine container moving companies usually have a professional email—something attached to the site name. Avoid Yahoo and Gmail email addresses, as they are less professional. Anyone could set one up and claim to offer container moving services. 
• Lack of official documentation: We’ve discussed licensing, certification, and insurance. All these are important considerations, and a company serious about offering container moving services will be ready to provide them if need be. If they don’t, then they could be scammers. 
• Pressure tactic: Most scammers will always try to pressure you to make a payment. They’ll make it appear that you’ll miss out on something good if you don’t act immediately. You could easily fall into the scammers’ hands if you yield to such pressures. 
• Bad reviews or the lack of it: If the reviews about the company are awful, it’s a sign to stay away. However, some container moving services may have no review, or the information may be sketchy. If so, that’s another sign to tread carefully, as you could be walking into the den of scammers. 

Making the Right Choice for Your Storage Container Move 

There’s no doubt that storage containers are a convenient, cost-effective, safe, and efficient method of moving your belongings from one location to another. However, given the many options available, it’s essential to consider the best storage container moving services. 

It starts with the evaluation phase, where you must consider the moving company’s reputation, customer reviews, experience, expertise, licensing, and insurance. The next phase involves actionable steps like online research, seeking recommendations, and comparing multiple quotes.

While at it, beware of warning signs like doubtful low quotes and poor communication.  They are critical to choosing the right storage container movers. 

Contact Joshua’s Moving today for assistance finding a suitable storage container, a free quote, or a consultation. We are reliable, licensed, and experienced in offering the best container moving services. Our company has a strong reputation for serving the Bay Area, and you can count on our trained movers for a seamless container moving experience. 

FAQ Related To Storage Container Movers Near You